Skyrim First Week Modding Highlights

Want to mod Skyrim and don't really know where to start? Featured below are four exceptional mods that really enhance Skyrim. These mods all do something significant that really can make the game far more immersive. You can find all these mods and more at our Skyrim Mod Portal!

Found in this featured list is a complete revamp of the world map that makes it even more useful. There's also textures for Elven weapons, male characters, and even a work-in-progress retexture of Whiterun; making all of these elements even more beautiful than they were before that can help you customize your Skyrim experience for the better.

We've also included links to their personal SkyrimForge.com pages, so you can watch for future updates or leave them comments!

Please remember that we will be doing many community spotlights such as featured mods and interviews among authors, so don't fret if you're not listed! If there's a mod in our community that you think should be featured next go 'round, please bring it to my -- Wishfire's -- attention.

Mikanoshi has managed to create a mod for the world map that allows you to zoom in so far that you are virtually almost along the ground, able to explore areas in complete and full detail. And we do mean detailed: all NPC houses, landmarks, and everything else in the world is viewable on the map from any angle and distance you can think of.

There's plans to add even more functionality to support viewing the map indoors and in towns once the toolkit arrives.

Sounds too good to be true? Watch a video of the map in action here, where you can see Riverwood in full detail!

Weapons in Skyrim, especially Elven, were already quite pretty. However, TrueChaos137 has created six special textures to make all the various Elven weapons even more gorgeous, vibrant, and detailed. To top it all off, he's even taking requests for more colors!

With Gold, Silver, Blue, Red, Light, and Dark retextures to choose from for every weapon type, there's certainly something for everyone in this pack. These crisp, colourful textures bring the Elven weapons to life, and up to speed with the rest of the beauty of Skyrim. TrueChaos137 plans to expand his modding portfolio for Skyrim when the toolkit is released, with plans for Quests, Dungeons, and even all new weapons!

The above screenshot of one of the greatswords the mod updates with the Dark retexture, far more dynamic and vivid than the original.

While a work in progress, graphic artist Alin Cristian from Romania -- known on Skyrimforge as Chris2012 -- has already reworked approximately 60 of the most encountered textures in Whiterun, and it's most certainly noticeable.

Redrawing the textures at up to four times the original resolution, this mod makes Whiterun look sharper with even more detail while still keeping the original feel that the city has. The most commonly encountered textures have already been reworked with more (and varied!) normal and specular maps, and the mod will be further updated eventually supporting all of Whiterun's textures.

Below is a shot proving just how much attention to detail this author has. Even more screenshots, as well as comparison shots, can be seen in the screenshot section of his mod.

This mod removes all the dirt, moles, bruises, insects, zits, and ingrown hairs on each and every playable male character in the game, making their skin nice, clean, and smooth. The best part about it is that the textures are high quality, and male characters still completely fit into the game - now ready to adventure all squeaky clean.

Above is a screenshot showing off a Redguard's fresh makeover.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out all the fantastic mods we host at our Skyrim portal!